Sir Edmund Hillary
Scholarship Programme
Inspiring excellence, all-round development and leadership
Success on stage
for Hillary scholar
Former Gisborne Boys’ High School
student Rikki Terekia has been
involved in kapa haka for the
majority of his life.
The new Hillary scholar recently
competed with Gisborne-based group
Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti at this year’s Te
Matatini festival, New Zealand’s largest
kapa haka competition which saw more
than 40 kapa haka groups compete
against each other on stage. Rikki’s group
placed third equal in the competition, and
he said the experience was “unreal”.
“Te Matatini was different to any other
stage I have performed on before. There
were bigger crowds, it was louder, there
were more supporters, and it was just a
great experience to have been a part of.”
Rikki, of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Ngāti
Porou descent, first got involved with
kapa haka while at primary school and has
competed in two national primary school
competitions, three national secondary
school competitions.
“I’ve been involved in kapa haka since I was
eight,” says Rikki. “Learning about Māori
history, culture, traditional arts and my
whakapapa keep me interested, and you
make lifelong friends. “One of my favourite
aspects of kapa haka is performing in front
of a tourist group. It’s great watching their
reactions and sharing with them some of
the New Zealand culture.”
In 2012 his school group came third overall
at the national secondary schools kapa
haka competition, winning first in haka
and first in te reo.
SUCCESS AT MATATINI:
New Hillary scholar
Rikki Terekia came
third with his group
Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti
at this year’s Te
Matatini festival.
Proudly sponsored by
March 2013
From the Vice-Chancellor
It is my pleasure to welcome all new and returning Sir Edmund
Hillary scholars to the University of Waikato for 2013.
For eight years the Hillary Scholarship
programme has been providing our students
with support and opportunities enabling them
to succeed in their discipline, whether it is in
sport or the creative and performing arts.
We are proud of our scholars’ achievements and
we are seeing some real successes particularly with
our Hillary alumni. Former scholar Renee Hannah
has recently been accepted into the prestigious
Sport New Zealand graduate programme and one
of our earliest alumni, Chris Dunn, will soon be
testing himself in a marathon in Nepal.
In this issue you will read more about some of
our Step Higher Award recipients. Alumni Alex
Hitchmough and Josh Blue have visited Nepal
but are also demonstrating success overseas.
Alex has been working for a not-for-profit
organisation in Perth called Breast Cancer Care,
while Josh has been in Belgium taking part in
a law study exchange while also playing rugby.
I would like to thank the Compass Group for
their support in establishing the Step Higher
Awards. With their help we have been able to
give three scholars each year the opportunity
to travel to the Himalayas to see the work
Sir Edmund Hillary began.
With the help and support from our key sponsors,
Calder and Lawson Orbit Corporate Travel and
U Leisure, the Hillary Scholarship programme
continues
to
be
very successful in
creating the leaders
of tomorrow. We are
grateful also to our
sports partners and
arts advisers who
continuously provide
our students with the skills and expertise to
excel even further.
The University has also recently announced
it is partnering with the Home of Cycling
Charitable Trust to develop a range of research
and other services around community and highperformance sport in the Waikato region.
This partnership will give us access to state-ofthe-art facilities for our prestigious Sir Edmund
Hillary Scholarship programme for all-round
high achievers. It will also allow associated
sporting groups to identify talent among our
high-performing sports students.
So, a warm welcome to our new intake of
high-performing students. I trust this will
be a successful year for you as you strive
academically and within your chosen discipline.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as
possible during the year.
Professor Roy Crawford
Vice-Chancellor
Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme
WHO CAN APPLY?
WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE?
» Students who excel academically and in
sports or creative and performing arts
» Full fees Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship
to study at Waikato University
» School leavers
» Personalised academic support
» Current tertiary students
» Students intending to study at the
University of Waikato at either the
Hamilton or Tauranga campus.
Hillary Scholarship Applications
close on 1 October each year.
Application forms available via
www.waikato.ac.nz/hillary
» Leading coaches/tutors or skills
development support in your
specialist sport/art
» A Leadership and Personal
Development Plan
» Free gym membership and physical
conditioning and more.
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HillaryScholarsWaikatoUniversity
New partnership to boost sporting excellence
Last year the University of Waikato announced it will partner with the Home of Cycling Charitable Trust to develop a range of
research and consultancy services around community and high-performance sport in the Waikato region.
As the Tertiary Education Partner, the University will have tertiary naming
rights for the National Cycling Centre of Excellence (Avantidrome) complex,
and access to high-quality facilities for staff and students.
The Avantidrome will be located beside St Peter’s School near Cambridge
and will consist of a velodrome and associated space for athletes
and administrators.
Under the partnership, the University of Waikato plans to further
develop teaching and research in sport science, sports management and
related areas, and will be the preferred institution in the region to deliver
professional development and postgraduate opportunities for BikeNZ and
High Performance Sport New Zealand.
The University’s $1 million investment in the partnership will be spread
over five years, and will provide access to facilities worth $28.5 million, and
enhanced research opportunities.
“The partnership will give us access to state-of-the-art facilities for our
prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship programme for all-round high
achievers in sport and creative and performing arts. It will also allow
associated sporting groups to identify talent among our high-performing
sports students.”
Triathlon New Zealand has also announced it will move its base to
Cambridge, bringing more high performance sport to the region. Professor
Crawford says Triathlon New Zealand has made an excellent choice.
“The University of Waikato’s partnership with Home of Cycling enhances
our position as the key provider in the region in the area of high performance
sport and excellence. I am sure Triathlon New Zealand will also benefit
greatly from being here.”
GROWING NATIONAL SPORTING LINKS: (L-R) Simon Perry, Chairman
of Home of Cycling Trust, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford.
In the Footsteps of Hillary:
A Step Higher trip to Nepal
In February a team of Sir Edmund Hillary scholars and supporters travelled to Nepal
to get an insight into the work of Sir Ed.
It was part of the inaugural Step Higher Award,
which gives Hillary scholars the opportunity to
travel to Khumbu Valley in Nepal and work with
local communities.
SIR ED'S WORK: Outside the first classroom
Sir Ed built in Khumjung.
The team included Step Higher Award recipients
Caitlin Easter, Alex Hitchmough, Josh Blue, and
fellow Hillary scholars Shannon O’Donnell and
Sami Flay.
After arriving in Kathmandu on 12 February,
they spent 17 days trekking through Khumbu
Valley, stopping at Lukla-Phakding, Monjo,
Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Pangboche and
Thyangboche before returning to Kathmandu.
While there they visited schools, hospitals,
and saw the work being undertaken by the
Himalayan Trust.
SPECTACULAR SCENERY: The Step Higher
team on the way to Namche Bazaar.
eye-opener – you realise how privileged we are
in New Zealand.
“It was inspiring to see how important Sir Ed’s
work still is to the Nepalese – it was quite cool
to experience and understand the extent of the
work he did. I’m so thankful to have been given
the opportunity to go to Nepal and experience
life there and see some of Sir Ed’s work.”
The University of Waikato has strong links with
the Hillary legacy. The Hillary Scholarship is the
most prestigious offered at Waikato and provides
New Zealand’s future leaders with specialist
coaching, mentoring, and personal development
and leadership courses, all designed to promote
the values of adventurer Sir Ed.
Hillary Scholar Shannon O’Donnell says the trip
opened her eyes to a new way of life.
The Step Higher Award is sponsored by the
Compass Group, which supplies the University
of Waikato with hospitality services.
“The trip was so incredible. The scenery was
spectacular, but to experience a different
culture and a different way of life was the real
To find out more about their experiences in
Nepal you can read their blog at www.waikato.
ac.nz/news-events/2013-step-higher/
Hillary Medals for outstanding achievers
Two University of Waikato students, both now abroad, are the latest recipients
of Waikato University Sir Edmund Hillary Medals.
Sir Edmund Hillary medals are given to the best graduating Waikato University Hillary scholars
who have achieved at the highest level academically and in their chosen performing art or sport
and have demonstrated exceptional leadership while on the programme.
Last year, Computer Science student and
sailor Katie de Lange received a prestigious
Woolf Fisher Scholarship, worth about
$100,000 a year for up to four years, to
study for a PhD at Cambridge University in
the UK. On top of that she also received a
three-month Google internship to work in
the company’s Sydney office.
“If everything goes to plan I should be taking
up my Woolf Fisher Scholarship in October
this year. My main interest is in the cross-over
area of biomedical informatics, which can be
thought of as the application of techniques
from computer science to biological and
medical data.
“Cambridge is home to a number of world
leaders in this area, from the European
Bioinformatics Institute to the Wellcome
Trust Sanger Institute, and I hope to be able
to join one of these fantastic departments.”
Katie was a Hillary scholar during all her
years at the University of Waikato.
Santiago Cañón Valencia
Bachelor of Music student and cellist
Santiago Cañón Valencia has now left the
University of Waikato to continue his studies
in his home country of Columbia while trying
to cement his international career.
While at the University Santiago won
the Creative and Performing Arts Person
of Year at the University of Waikato
For Matthew Quinn, Computer Graphic
Design isn’t just a passion – it's a
strong obsession.
The third year
Hillary
scholar
says it’s the mix
of theory and
practice in his
degree that keeps
him on his toes.
Katie de Lange
“I am currently in Sydney, finishing off a
three-month internship at Google. When that
ends I will be heading over to the University
of Cambridge for a series of interviews and to
meet potential supervisors,” says Katie.
Hillary scholar
has eye for design
2012 MEDAL WINNERS: (L-R)
Sailor Katie de Lange and cellist
Santiago Cañón Valencia.
Blues Awards, performed with the Victoria
Orchestra in Melbourne, placed second at the
Johansen International String Competition in
Washington, and released a CD of 21st century
works, among many other achievements
such as winning the top prize at the Beijing
International Cello Competition aged 15.
“Right now I am in Colombia at the VII
Cartagena International Music Festival.
I've been invited to do a concert of all
Latin-American music as part of a series
of concerts in the festival,” says Santiago.
“Over the next four years I plan to finish my
studies and begin a very successful career as
an international soloist.”
Santiago was the youngest Hillary scholar
that University of Waikato has ever had,
receiving the scholarship at age 14, and says
without the scholarship it would not have
been possible to study in New Zealand.
Sir Edmund Hillary scholars have their course
fees covered, receive specialist coaching
and mentoring and take part in personal
development and leadership programmes
while at university.
Matthew,
who
attended
St
Peter’s College in
DESIGNER:
Palmerston North
Matthew Quinn
and
Hamilton’s
Fraser High, says
the diversity in his chosen field of study is
challenging, but Waikato University is a great
place for this kind of education.
“I really enjoy getting to know the tutors and
lecturers, their varied specialisations and areas
of knowledge and picking their brains.”
Matthew keeps himself busy in the design
sphere – he has his own design blog where he
publishes his own work on a continual basis,
he was a student representative for the design
class at Waikato, and was awarded the Dean’s
Award for excellence from the Faculty of
Computing & Mathematical Sciences.
Before coming to Waikato University he
attended the Freelance Animation School
where he achieved a Merit in Traditional
Animation, and he also had the opportunity to
take part in an Illustration masterclass which
was run by ex-employees of Weta Workshop.
He hopes to do further study before embarking
on a career in the design world.
“I would love to eventually run my own graphic
design firm that specialises in web technologies,
but for the moment I’m considering doing my
honours and masters.”
Graduate selected as New Zealand sport sector leader
Graduate and former Hillary scholar Renee Hannah is the first
to be appointed to a new and prestigious Sport New Zealand
graduate programme.
Sport New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin said Renee’s application
was a “stand-out” amongst the long list of high calibre applicants.
“Renee is a high achiever and despite being at the start of her working
career, she’ll enter the sport sector with plenty of knowledge from her
experiences as a competitive athlete, coach and volunteer, coupled with
the strong platform for business that her university degree provides.”
The Sport and Leisure Studies graduate started her new role in late January
as part of Sport New Zealand’s Community Sport team.
“The main priority for me this year is to learn as
much as possible about how sport in New Zealand
operates from the community sport level to our
high performance athletes.”
Renee received a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship
for her achievements in waterskiing. She was also
awarded a New Zealand Universities Blues Award in 2011 for her sporting
achievements. Renee says that her time as a Hillary scholar has prepared
her well for the role. “As a Sir Edmund Hillary scholar I was constantly
pushed out of my comfort zone with tasks which involved public speaking
and other leadership opportunities. I believe these experiences have
definitely helped me transition into the job.”
2013 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars
Returning 2013 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars continued.
Sport(s) or Creative/
Performing Art(s)
Name
Sport(s) or Creative/
Performing Art(s)
Secondary School
Degree(s)
Name
Phillip Akau
Alexander Arai-Swale
Matthew Arnott
Samuel Cooper
Jules Craft
Sally Davenport
Ryan Dingle
Matthew Dunham
Jonathan Eyers
Daniel Franks
Phillip Garrity
Joshua Gascoigne
Helena Gasson
Lauren Grout
Jessica Haldane
Megan Harrop
Scott Hilliar
Stephanie Holcroft
Keith Inglis
Aaron Keppler
Catherine Kwak
Ashton Ledger
Paul Maguire
Ellie McCleery
Cory Miles
Zachary Millar
Anya Noble
Leah Parkinson
Nikita Roberts
Cho Ki Jacky Siu
Monique Smith
Kate Southee
Kendall Spence
Shiray Tane
Tiaan Taylor
Rikki Terekia
Alanah Thwaites
Tidavadee Tongdethsri
Jessamy Topping
James Tucker
Naomi Whalley
Lorene Whitburn
Nakita Wiperi
Music
Music
Canoe Slalom
Cricket
Surfing
Netball
Triathlon
Rowing
Music
BMX
Theatre
Rugby
Swimming
Music
Lacrosse
Dance
Athletics
Triathlon
Sailing
Basketball
Music
Screen and Media
Wakeboarding
Athletics
Waka Ama
Squash
Equestrian
Dance
Netball
Music
BMX
Hockey
Theatre
Rugby
Netball
Kapa Haka
Volleyball
Golf
Graphic Design
Rugby
Graphic Design
Music
Kapa Haka
Dilworth School
Hillcrest High School
Dunstan High School
St John's College
Gisborne Boys' High School
Bethlehem College
Spotswood College
St Peter's College, Cambridge
St Paul's Collegiate School
Cashmere High School
Hillcrest High School
Cambridge High School
Hauraki Plains College
Gisborne Girls' High School
Hamilton Girls' High School
Hamilton Girls' High School
St Paul's Collegiate School
Hillcrest High School
Taupō Nui A Tia College
St Paul's Collegiate School
Villa Maria College
Rotorua Boys' High School
Trident High School
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
St John's College
Paraparaumu College
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Mount Maunganui College
New Plymouth Girls' High School
Westlake Boys' High School
Campion College
Glenfield College
Hauraki Plains College
Hamilton Girls' High School
Waitara High School
Gisborne Boys' High School
Tauranga Girls' College
Sacred Heart Girls' College, Hamilton
Waiopehu College
St Bede's College
Hillcrest High School
Cashmere High School
Melville High School
BMus
BMus
BGCD
BMS
BA
BMS
BSc
BMS
BMus
BMCT
BA
BSpLS
BSpLS
BMus(Hons)
BSpLS
BTchg(Primary)
BSpLS
BSpLS
BBA
BMS
BMus
BMCT
BCGD
BSc/LLB
BSpLS
BSpLS
BSc(Tech)
BSocSc
BTchg
BMus
BSocSc
BSpLS
BA
BSocSc/BSpLS
BSpLS
BA
BSc(Tech)
BA(Hons)
BCGD
BCS
BCGD
BMus
BMS
Daniel Krippner
Andrew Leathwick
Susannah Leydon-Davis
Felicity Leydon-Davis
Oliver Leydon-Davis
Jessica MacAskill
Hannah Martin
Ngaruaroha Martin
Ngaia Mason
Jeremy Mayall *HM
Sarah McLaughlin *PM
Johnathan Merchant
Hamiora Mihaka
Emma Millar
Tamsin Moala
Lachlan Musgrave
Brooke Neal
Andrew Newton *PM
Returning 2013 Sir Edmund Hillary Scholars
Name
Sport(s) or Creative/
Performing Art(s)
Secondary School
Degree(s)
Jaimee Agnew
Sonny Aliifaalogo
Craig Armstrong *HM
Kristie Ballie *PM
Elsa Brown
Madeleine Brunton
Adam Burn
Kate Carlton
Amy Christophers
Thomas Clout
James Comer
Dolan Cox
Luke Coxhead
June Dams
Lewis Dean
David Dela Rue
Natalie Dodd *PM
Chase Douglas
Caitlin Easter *SHA
Samantha Felton *PM
Natalie Foster
Michael Fowke
Bjarne Frederickson
Melanie Freiwald
Waikato Diocesan School of Girls
Wesley College
Waiuku College
Morrinsville College
Kerikeri High School
Waikato Diocesan School of Girls
Hamilton Boys' High School
Tauranga Girls' College
Otumoetai College
Tauranga Boys' College
Cambridge High School
Whakatane High School
Bethlehem College
Tauranga Girls' College
Pukekohe High School
Hamilton Boys' High School
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Tauranga Boys' College
Cambridge High School
Springbank School
Fairfield College
Hillcrest High School
Wairarapa College
Lautenburg, Germany
BMS
BSpLS
PhD
BA
BSc
BSc
BMS
BSpLS
BSc/MSc
BMS/LLB
BMS
BMus
BMS(Hons)
DMA
BSc
BMS/LLB
BTchg
BMus(Hons)
PGDipPsych(Clin)
BMS(Hons)
BA/LLB
BE(Hons)
BECom
BSpLS
Ben Good
Natalie Good
James Grace
Courtney Grenfell
Gage Hall
Basketball
Rugby
Hockey
Athletics
Netball
Triathlon
Rugby
Football
Netball
Cricket
Basketball
Music
Hockey
Music
Comedy
Squash
Cricket
Music
Netball
Equestrian
Theatre
Badminton
Motocross
Dance
Paralympic Sport
(Swimming)
Kempo Karate
Snowboarding
Karate
Bike
Graphic Design
Sharee Hamilton
Basketball
Simmon Howe
Simon Howie
Jessica Howse
Aperahama Hurihanganui
Ben Hyde
Kane Jacobson
Kylie Jens
Kate Kernaghan
Charlotte Ketel
Brooke Kirkbride
Shaun Kirkham *PM
Netball
Dance
Kickboxing
Waka Ama
Cricket
Rugby
Football
Hockey
Music
Cricket
Rowing
Sarah Fuhrer
Indoor Rock Climbing
Music
Badminton
Badminton/Cricket
Badminton
Table Tennis
Dance
Music
Theatre
Music
Football
Tennis
Rugby League
Squash
Netball
Hockey
Hockey
Surf Life Saving
Māori Creative and
Te Wairere Ngaia
Performing Arts
Graham Oberlin-Brown *PM Rowing
Shannon O'Donnell
Waterskiing
Lucy Olphert
Equestrian
Samantha Perry
Graphic Design
Georgia Perry *PM
Rowing
Shaunna Polley
Volleyball
Michael Potts
Theatre
Caitlin Preston
Basketball
Beverley Pullon
Music
Matthew Quinn
Graphic Design
Steven Rae *HM
Cricket
Mariah Ririnui
Athletics
Cosette Saville
Orienteering
Hanna Seifert
Golf
Angela Simpson
Orienteering
Tendai Sithole
Theatre
Nathaniel Smorti
Music
Jennifer Spark
Music
Madeleine Stapleton
Badminton
Secondary School
Degree(s)
Hamilton Boy's High School
Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School
James Hargest College
Mount Maunganui College
Home Schooled
Kamo High School
Hamilton Boys’ High School
Hamilton's Fraser High School
St Peter's College, Cambridge
St Paul's College, Auckland
Paraparaumu College
Waitara High School
Tauranga Boys' College
Whangarei Girls' High School
King's High School
BE(Hons)
BMus(Hons)
BMS
BSc
BMS
MSc
BMS
BMus
BTchg/BA
PhD
BSpLS
BMS/LLB
BE(Hons)
BMS/BSpLS
BMS
BMS
BCS
BTchg
Ngā Taiātea Wharekura
BCS(Hons)
Te Awamutu College
Rotorua Girls' High School
Tauranga Girls' College
Tauhara College
St Peter's College, Cambridge
Hamilton's Fraser High School
Hillcrest High School
New Plymouth Girls' High School
Otorohanga College
Hamilton's Fraser High School
Tauranga Boys' College
Tauranga Girls' College
Pukekohe High School
St Peter's School, Cambridge
Rotorua Lakes High School
John Paul College
Lake Taupō Christian School
St Paul’s College, Auckland
Hillcrest High School
Sacred Heart Girls' College,
Casey Stevens
Surf Life Saving
New Plymouth
Timothy Stewart
Athletics
Paraparaumu College
Cassandra Storey
Spring Board Diving
Sacred Heart Girls' College, Hamilton
Philippa Sutton
Bike
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Kimberley Tanner
Hockey
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Jorja Tarrant
Squash
Waikato Diocesan School for Girls
Amelia Taylor
Music
Tauranga Girls' College
Tyrone Te Ruruku
Rugby
Wesley College
Anjali Thakker
Inline Hockey/Ice Hockey Hillcrest High School
Brendan Theodore
Theatre
Hillcrest High School
Matthew Thomas
Cricket
Hamilton Boys' High School
Giacomo Thomas *PM
Rowing
Havelock North High School
Jeremy Tomkins
Theatre
Tauranga Boys' College
Tobias Wehr-Candler *PM Rowing
Onslow College
Kate Welten
Equestrian
Cambridge High School
Hannah West
Screen and Media
Hillcrest High School
Blaire White
Music
Sacred Heart Girls' College, Hamilton
Charlotte Willson
Golf
Fairfield College
Corey Wilson
Softball
Hamilton Boys' High School
Kayla Wilson
Hockey
Hillcrest High School
Mikayla Woods
Equestrian
St Peter's College, Cambridge
Zachery Woods
Hockey
Hamilton Boys' High School
Louis Wright
Bike
Matamata College
BMS
BMS/LLB
BSpLS
BCS
BSpLS
BMus(Hons)
BSc
BSc
BA(Hons)
BSpLS
BCMS
BTchg/BA
BSc
BTchg
BMCT
BMus
BTchg/BSpLS
BBA
BSpLS
BEP
BSc
BMS
Correct as at 5 March 2013.
LLB
Scholar assistance contact:
Cambridge High School
Cambridge High School
St John's College
Chilton Saint James School
Hamilton Boys' High School
Sacred Heart Girls' College,
New Plymouth
Opotiki College
Melville High School
Cambridge High School
Rotorua Boys' High School
Whangarei Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School
St Peter's College, Cambridge
St Hilda's Collegiate School
Tauranga Girls' College
Cambridge High School
Hamilton Boy's High School
BSocSc
BMS/LLB
BBA
BA/LLB(Hons)
BCGD
Greg O’Carroll – High Performance Student Manager
Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 838 4264
BSpLS
BSpLS
BMS
BA/LLB
BMS
BMS
BSocSc/LLB
BSpLS
BMus
BMS
BCS
BSpLS
*HM denotes Sir Edmund Hillary Medallist.
*SHA denotes Step Higher Award recipient.
*PM means that the student has
received a Prime Minister’s Scholarship.
Campion College
BMS/LLB
BMS
BSpLS
BSpLS
BCGD
BMCT
BSc
MA
BMS(Hons)
DMA
BCGD
MMS
BCS
BEP
BSpLS/LLB
BSc(Tech)
BA/LLB
BMus
MMus
BSocSc
All other enquiries contact:
Nicola Clayden – Hillary Programme Manager
Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 858 5139 Mobile: 027 478 7331
Scholarship applications:
Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme, Scholarships Office
The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand
Phone: 07 858 5195 Toll Free: 0800 WAIKATO
www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships
U Leisure provides sport and leisure services for the University of Waikato.